Meet the Singer-Songwriter That’s Transforming Music: Mary Komasa

The Polish artist speaks with V about “Pull Me Up”, her creative process and what fans can expect in the future.

Music can make us feel uplifted, tranquil and even despair. But not many people have experienced an intense, euphoric sensation when listening to a song. When writing “Pull Me Up”, sensuality and touch were all the things that inspired Mary Komasa. It’s the kind of song that is both feel-good and brings chills down your spine—exactly what Komasa wanted fans to feel and experience. The melody is soft yet melodramatic, and the lyrics make you want to kiss the first stranger you see at the bar. Other songs she has released, such as “Sauvages’’ and “Lost Me,’’ are just as deep, raw and powerful. And like “Pull Me Up,’’ all have music videos that showcase Komasa’s talent, and her willingness to be vulnerable with her massive audience.

But that’s only a taste of what Komasa offers. Her creativity, sound and artistry are what draws in thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify, a growing following and now the attention of famed photographer and director Chris Colls. Since she was young, Komasa has proven her worth in the industry, and will continue to make a mark for years to come.

Catch her interview with V, and her song in Chris Coll’s shoot, below. 

Image Courtesy of Ezra Petronio

V Magazine: Where are you from?

Mary Komasa: I was born and raised in Poland. I grew up in Warsaw in a large family of artists. My mother used to be a gospel singer and my father is an actor. I’m sure the way they raised me and my siblings had a huge impact on our creativity!

V: Have your roots influenced the music you make?

MK: I grew up in a post communist country. in the early 90’s. Poland at that time was hit by a wave of pop culture coming from the West. I remember listening to 2Pac, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, Erykah Badu and mixing it with J.S. Bach or Frederic Chopin. A true clash of cultures and genres!

V: Can you tell us about the moment you realized music was going to be your life path?

MK: I realized it very early on. I did my first recording sessions when I was 4 years old. I started to sing as soon as I started to speak. Later on, when I went through all the steps of the music education, I began to compose. From that moment on, it became crystal clear that this is going to be my life. Now I do all of it. I write my own songs and compose film music together with my husband Antoni. The plan I had as a small girl worked out pretty well for me! 

V: Tell us about the song featured in the Chris Colls, VMAGAZINE Video! What’s the name, and inspiration for it?

MK: Degenerate Love was a compilation of experiences I and my friends had in Berlin where I live. This city is filled with unspoken emotions, with a deep longing for a connection. Berlin can be fun but it can be a very dark place. Once you are swallowed by the city, you can easily get lost in between the night and the day, the darkness and the light that this place has to offer. It makes absolute sense why Bowie wrote “Heroes” in Berlin. You get inspired by the city from each and every direction! I’ve heard many times that Berlin is dead but there is just too much talent for the city to be written off. Berlin has its own tempo and this song is about that. No matter what others think of you, you just don’t give a fuck here, you carry on.    

V: It looks like you’ve also worked with Chris Colls as he’s directed your music video “Pull Me Up”- can you tell us about the song?

MK: Most of my songs are either piano based or built on dark electronic sounds. With this song I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to create something sensual and light. I wanted it to feel as if you kiss someone and then you go on and on but in a very delicate way. What we missed the most during recent time was the sensation of a simple human touch. I wanted this song to provide it to my listeners.

Image Courtesy of Ezra Petronio

V: How do you go about creating a visual moment for a song?

MK: When I write a song I often see different colours, or scenes. Here I wrote it thinking of James Turrel’s pink. I love how Chris works with light and intimacy of touch and so I decided to ask him if he would be interested in creating a video to the song. I love working with him, he has amazing ideas and his videos fit so well with my music it’s incredible!!

V: What are some of your biggest inspirations behind your music?

MK: Mostly films. I write all of my songs thinking of a last scene of a movie. I try to make a huge space in my head for all of my inspirations. When the writing process begins, I create a moodboard I put some pictures, I watch films like crazy, I listen to classical music. I try to be filled with art as much as possible. I digest it and there comes the time when I just simply have to write it down. 

V: How do you get into your creative process? Have you come across any challenges lately?

MK: My process is unpredictable. I’ve never been able to rationalize it. It requires from me a sort of openness to the inner voice. I am an overly empathetic person, I suck in emotions like a sponge. The work I’m doing now is focused on intimate emotional states, but it’s also clearly connected to the outside world. There is a dramatic shift happening around me, all of my comfort zones are shrinking and disappearing and this shapes my message. 

V: What can fans expect from you next?

MK: Currently I am in the process of building a new artistic relationship with an amazing music producer and engineer, Victor Van Vugt. Victor has contributed to the sound of my idols such as Nick Cave and PJ Harvey. I now feel mature enough to partner up with people of Victor’s charisma and experience. The idea of releasing albums has drifted away in recent years, but I still think beyond single songs. This is the way I think about music and I hope to convince my fans to follow my multi-layered stories. The next songs I’m planning to release will go back to my dark, melancholic and cinematic roots. It will always be about emotions, nothing less. 

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